Source: UN News: Friday, May 15, 2026 00:01 AM
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said in a new study that the economic inequalities prevalent in the rich countries of the world are causing poor physical health and educational performance among local children. UNICEF has Report The study examined economic inequalities and child well-being in 44 high- and high-income countries, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to this, both income inequality rates and child poverty remain high in most countries. In the countries studied, the top 20 percent of households earn, on average, more than 5 times more than the bottom 20 percent. At the same time, almost 1 in 5 children in these countries is struggling with income poverty, due to which their basic needs are not being met. Bo Victor Nilund, Director of UNICEF’s Strategy and Evidence Office in the city of Innocenti, Italy, said that inequality deeply affects how children learn, what they eat, and how they feel about life. “For this, we need to invest quickly in the health, nutrition and education of children in the most disadvantaged communities.” The report shows there is a clear link between high levels of economic inequality and poor health among children. For example, children growing up in countries most affected by inequality are 1.7 times as likely to be overweight as those in countries with the most equality. This reflects poor, low-quality dietary intake and sometimes no food at all. A weak foundation of education © UNICEF/Annette Etge Economic inequality in rich countries has been linked to poor physical health of children and worse educational performance. According to a UNICEF report, only 58 percent of children in families in the bottom 20 percent in terms of income in the European Union countries have good health. Whereas in the top 20 percent families it is 73 percent. The report also highlights the relationship between economic inequality and educational performance. In countries where the gap between rich and poor is wide, academic performance in examinations is rated lower. In the most unequal countries, children are 65 percent likely to drop out of school without achieving basic reading or math skills, compared to 40 percent in the most equal countries. On average, 83 percent of 15-year-olds in families in the top 20 percent of countries by income have basic reading and math skills, compared to 42 percent in the bottom 20 percent. Emphasis on Policy Measures The report Governments and stakeholders have been urged to take a number of policy measures to reduce the impact of existing inequality on the lives and well-being of children. Under this, special emphasis has been given on measures focused on reducing child poverty. Such as: improving support measures for the well-being of families and children and minimum earnings, so that no child remains in poverty. Providing subsidized housing to disadvantaged communities, improving infrastructure in disadvantaged areas, and investing in public centers, including green spaces. To eliminate inequality in the education system by reducing classification on socio-economic basis in schools. To ensure availability of appropriate number of staff and facilities in schools, irrespective of the economic background of the students.
To arrange healthy and nutritious food for children in schools.
Liaise and engage with children and their families to better understand their perspectives on the impact of inequality and develop solutions for their well-being.
